Don't miss this unique opportunity!

Join editors, agents, veteran authors and first-time writers for a weekend that will ignite your career!

Our World Class SpeakersAuthors, agents and editors. You'll be learning from the best of the best--with decades upon decades of real-life experience among them.

William Bernhardt

Author

The bestselling author of more than forty books, William’s works include the bestselling Ben Kincaid series, the historical novel Nemesis: The Final Case of Eliot Ness (now being adapted into a miniseries), two books of poetry, and a series of books on writing fiction.

Cheri Fuller

Non-fiction Author

Cheri Fuller is an internationally published, award-winning author of 49 books. She loves to inspire and equip writers not only to write compelling nonfiction, but also to create book proposals that sell, pitch their books to publishers, and advance their career. Her articles have appeared in Family Circle, Guideposts, ParentLife, Better Homes and Gardens, and more.

Melanie Hemry

Ghostwriter

Award-winning author Melanie Hemry has 54 published books. A full-time ghostwriter and non-fiction writer, Melanie’s stories have warmed the hearts of readers around the world. Her work has also been published worldwide by Reader’s Digest, Guideposts, Believer’s Voice of Victory and more.

Christopher Maselli

Rene Gutteridge

Author and Screenwriter

Rene Gutteridge is the award-winning and best-selling author of 24 multi-genre novels and is a seasoned collaborator in both fiction and film. Her indie film, SKID, is available on Amazon Prime and her novel, My Life as a Doormat, was adapted into a Hallmark film called Love’s Complicated. She is the head writer for The Skit Guys.

2018 Conference ScheduleClick any session below to read more about it. Schedule subject to change.

What makes a Guideposts story? How do you find and write stories that will get published in America’s leading inspirational magazine? Guideposts senior editor Jim Hinch explains what kinds of stories work (and don’t work) in Guideposts and gives practical tips for finding good stories, pitching them to editors, and writing them for the magazine.

Jackson will draw on decades of historical writing and research experience to explain how to create a lively narrative within the bounds of historical evidence. Attendees will learn that the art of storytelling doesn’t have to be sacrificed to attain factual–or even scholarly–history.

Room 17

9:30 AM

Room 18

The Top 5 Ways to...Squirrel! Keeping the Attention of a Digital Audience

The average human attention span is now less than that of a goldfish. Since 2000, writing for the digital reading audience has become progressively harder. In this session, learn how to circumvent our collective ADD and craft successful online content by perfecting elements of web-specific style.

Room 18

9:30 AM

Room 19

Creative Lead Captures

Engage true fans with creative lead captures that will attract your tribe and grow your readership. You’ll learn how quizzes, tip sheets, and apps can set you apart and keep your readers coming back for more.

You have a subject that fascinates you and you want to write about it. But how do you interest others? How do you get it published? And best of all, how do you get paid? This session will explain the approaches that yield the best results.

Bill McCloud will discuss the process that led him to take letters he wrote fifty years ago and turn them into poems. David Willson of VVA Veteran says McCloud’s The Smell of the Light: Vietnam, 1968-1969 ranks “right at the top of the heap” of Vietnam War poetry–but it took a half a century to bring the book to fruition.

Room 17

10:30 AM

Room 18

Fantasy & Science Fiction

What makes a good science-fiction/fantasy novel? Is it the characters? The magic? The technology? Or does it come down to the story? R.J. Johnson will take you through the steps it takes to create characters who come alive in a thrilling world for a story that readers won’t be able to put down.

Room 18

10:30 AM

Room 19

Amplify Your Brand Through Free Media Exposure

Have you ever wondered how brands get media interviews, full page color spreads in major publications and other types of media attention that garner them much exposure and credibility? If you have been coveting this type of attention for your own personal brand, your top concern has probably been how to afford it. Help is on the way! In this workshop, publicist Cheryl Wicker will share insider tips she uses in her own agency that will enable you to create this kind of press for yourself.

Room 19

11:30 AM

Room 16

Should I Self-Publish?

There are many paths to publication in today’s publishing world. Which one is right for you? The digital revolution has given authors avenues they did not have before, but the many choices can be confusing. Let a successful author navigate the waters for you and help you decide which path to take.

The session will cover the differences and similarities between fiction and nonfiction writing. It will also include a discussion of popular nonfiction as opposed to scholarly nonfiction and the concept of niche markets.

Room 17

11:30 AM

Room 18

From Sight to Insight: Turning Experience into Poetry

It is relatively easy to recall a memory, a personal experience, or a family story (true or legendary), but it is another thing altogether to reconstruct the memory in an insightful, condensed poetic format that communicates to an audience. This session will address two primary issues: 1) whittling the memory into a condensed form while retaining its essence, and 2) attempting to hear how the language we use in the reconstructed memory communicates insight.

Room 18

11:30 AM

Room 19

Watt’s Hot in the World of Books: WattPad, Fan Fiction, Audiobooks, and More

The digital revolution has changed the publishing world dramatically, and the changes keep coming. Audiobooks are now the fastest growing sector of the book market. WattPad is a billion-dollar business that has brought writers big-dollar contracts and even film adaptations. Fan fiction is now legitimate and even profitable—and there’s much more beyond that. Make sure you know about the latest developments in the book world so you can take advantage of them.

Room 19

12:30 PM

Ballroom D

Lunchtime Keynote: My Writing Life—And Yours

Every writing life and process is unique. There is no trail of stardust or bread crumbs to follow; we each blaze our own path. But in his lunchtime keynote, Dan will share fundamental lessons learned over forty years of writing—seventeen books published in twenty-nine languages, with millions of copies in print, a film adaptation, now optioned for the stage, and works of fiction and nonfiction with publishers large and small, including children’s books and two collaborations. His talk will be sprinkled with wit and wisdom to light your way on the writer’s path.

Ballroom D

2:00 PM

Room 16

Five Factors for Fantastic Fiction

Ever wonder what distinguishes a passable book from a great one? What sets apart the book you can’t stop reading and never want to end—from the book that is adequate but soon forgotten? This bestselling author of more than thirty novels, and author of the Red Sneaker series of books on writing, isolates the essential factors that ensure reader engagement and define success.

What’s the difference between romance and women’s fiction? Where do literary novels written by women fit in? Join this session for a lively discussion of the kinds of books women read—and write.

Room 17

2:00 PM

Room 18

The Poetry of Self-Promotion

Bill McCloud began promoting his poetry several months before it his first book was published, laying the groundwork. Within thirty days of publication he had his book in two independent bookstores, a college bookstore, and a Barnes & Noble. The idea is not to convince people that your poetry is good but rather, to at bring it out of the dark and into the light.

Room 18

2:00 PM

Room 19

How to Publish with Success

On this panel, experts from all aspects of publishing will help you chart a successful path for your work. The panel will cover traditional publishing, self-publishing, guided self-publishing, literary presses, and all avenues for achieving your writing dreams.

Room 19

3:00 PM

Room 16

The Key to Nonfiction

Intrigue, suspense, and mystery–how do the great nonfiction writers do it? This session will consider some contemporary nonfiction writers and learn how they’re able to convert their research and findings into compelling narratives.

Room 16

3:00 PM

Room 17

Brainstorming for Conflict

Conflict is the heart of our stories, but how much time do we spend searching for the strongest conflict? Get out of the rut and try these new techniques to infuse fresh conflict into your plots, characters, scenes, and dialogue.

Room 17

3:00 PM

Room 18

Children’s Books

Follow the steps of how Dr. Brad Robison transformed a college-level lecture about the Oklahoma City bombing into a beautifully illustrated book that made the bestseller list for five weeks.

Room 18

3:00 PM

Room 19

Writing Poems, from our Poet Laureate

Many writers (Faulkner included) thought poetry the most challenging form of writing. It’s one thing to express your thoughts, but another to do it is a way that creates an evocative and beautiful piece of work. Let Oklahoma’s Poet Laureate explain how to make your poetry something special.

Room 19

4:00 PM

Room 16

How to Pitch to Agents

In this panel and Q&A session, top agents covering the full spectrum of writing will unravel the mysteries of how to get an agent, what agents do, and why you want one in the digital age.

Room 16

4:00 PM

Room 17

Don’t Be a Starving Artist: How to Find Freelance Gigs That Pay The Bills

Being a starving artist may seem glamorous, but it’s wildly impractical. “Don’t quit your day job” is good advice. But what if your day job is also writing? In this session, learn how to make money and land freelance writing gigs by curating writing samples, setting rates, identifying potential clients, crafting a personalized pitch, and creating relationships.

Room 17

4:00 PM

Room 18

Discovering Your Book’s Theme

Your book has a driving plot, full-bodied characters, a great hook, twists and turns and action. So why weren’t your readers moved? Books that touch you and stay with you have something in common. This session will launch a journey to discover your book’s hidden theme. But don’t tell anyone what you find–show them.

Room 18

4:00 PM

Room 19

Reading Poems to Write Poems

One of the most common mistakes beginning poets—and even some poets who’ve been writing and publishing a while—make is writing poetry without reading contemporary poetry. While all poets should have a grasp of classic poetry, they should also know work being published today. In this fast-paced workshop, you’ll “read like a poet,” examining two types of poetry—lyric (in form and free verse) and narrative—for style and craft. Then participants will write a poem using the imitation technique.

Room 19

5:00 PM

Ballroom D

Private Consultations

Meet with editors, agents and authors to pitch your idea or get great insights!

Ballroom D

6:00 PM

TBA

Can You Solve a Mystery?

Visit the scene of the crime and solve the mystery. Use your sleuthing skills to win prizes and acclaim!

TBA

7:00 PM

Private Dining Room

Dinner with the Stars

Enjoy a four-course meal in a private dining room at one of Oklahoma City’s best restaurants with legendary agent Donald Maass, CEO of the Donald Maass literary agency and author of How to Write a Breakout Novel and many other books. You can also join Dan Millman, author of The Way of the Peaceful Warrior and many other wonderful books. Get your questions answers, books signed, and have a terrific dining experience.

NOTE: Seats are very limited. Seating is available at an additional cost on the checkout page.

Private Dining Room

9:00 PM

TBA

Late Owl Sessions

Just can’t get enough? Topics and locations will be announced at the lunch meeting.

You’ve got that golden idea for a book, the one that won’t let you go, that embellishes itself as you walk through your day. How do you turn that good idea into a great novel? Join this author of sixteen books for the answers. Participants will be shown how to go from idea to completed novel using the seven-step POP method in addition to receiving detailed information on cracking the world of publishing.

Room 16

9:30 AM

Room 17

Medical Knowledge for Every Writer

Want to know if your writing passes the medical boards? Is your gore accurate? Would you character bleed bright or dark red if their artery got nicked? What about those paddles you see on TV? Do they really make a person jolt? A knife through the heart’s right chamber—fatal or not? This is a must-have class for writers of all genres. Bring your questions and have them answered by medical expert Gary Conrad and award-winning author Tamara Grantham.

Room 17

9:30 AM

Room 18

Guideposts Pitch Session: How to Pitch (Part 1)

Pitch the editor! Here’s your chance to give your story idea to Guideposts senior editor Jim Hinch. Your pitch should be for a story you think might work in one of Guideposts’ publications (Guideposts, Angels on Earth, Mysterious Ways, All Creatures). The idea should be for a first-person story that could be written in no more than 1,500 words with a relatable story problem and a resolution that teaches an inspiring and useful spiritual lesson. Some hints for successful pitches: They almost never do stories about amazing people who overcame illness and then founded a wonderful charity. Ditto for people who are spiritual pillars of their church or who experienced a miraculous healing. They like stories about real, flawed people dealing with everyday problems that teach them something. Keep your pitch to no more than five sentences. The pitch could lead to publication!

Gina Lynnes and Melanie Hemry are no novices when it comes to ghostwriting. Having ghosted a combined total of almost 100 books, they’ve learned the secrets to writing your way to success while helping others tell their stories. In this power-packed session, they’ll share: why ghostwriting opportunities are exploding, how lucrative it can be, where to find ghosting opportunities, common ranges of payment, and a contract template.

Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, compelling narration involves stories, and most stories describe a character’s transformation, evolving through adversity — just as we do in our own lives. But what does it mean for a character to transform? This session will suggest nine “domains of consciousness” and the two contrasting characters (such as the tough guy and the crybaby, the social butterfly and the lone wolf, the puritan and the hedonist) who inhabit each domain, thereby providing a clear template for transforming our characters and our lives.

Room 16

10:30 AM

Room 17

Understanding Modern Young Adult

Learn how to write compelling, authentic young adult fiction in the fast-changing landscape of modern publishing. This session includes discussion of how to write YA voice, what modern YA looks like, and what YA editors are currently seeking.

Room 17

10:30 AM

Room 18

Guideposts Pitch Session: Let's Hear Your Pitch (Part 2)

Pitch the editor! Here’s your chance to give your story idea to Guideposts senior editor Jim Hinch. Your pitch should be for a story you think might work in one of Guideposts’ publications (Guideposts, Angels on Earth, Mysterious Ways, All Creatures). The idea should be for a first-person story that could be written in no more than 1,500 words with a relatable story problem and a resolution that teaches an inspiring and useful spiritual lesson. Some hints for successful pitches: They almost never do stories about amazing people who overcame illness and then founded a wonderful charity. Ditto for people who are spiritual pillars of their church or who experienced a miraculous healing. They like stories about real, flawed people dealing with everyday problems that teach them something. Keep your pitch to no more than five sentences. The pitch could lead to publication!

The truth about travel writing–it’s the best job you can have without making a living. It sounds glamorous but involves long hours and hard work. It’s no vacation. This session will consider the perks and the problems, breaking in, skill sets, ethics and etiquette, and non-monetary rewards that make it all worthwhile.

Room 19

11:30 AM

Room 16

Make Middle-Grade Magic

Middle grade literature is magical and totally taking over the marketplace. What makes middle grade so magical? Are middle grade readers smarter than adults? How can you find an engaging middle grade voice? How can you craft a story readers will love?

Room 16

11:30 AM

Room 17

Writing a Series Character

Your series character is stranded on a deserted island—are they fully fleshed-out and complex enough to last for three or more books? If you’ve set your sights on writing a series, this is the class for you. Award-winning novelist Tamara Grantham, author of the seven-book Fairy World MD series, will take you through the process of outlining a character who will survive the test of time—and the island.

Room 17

11:30 AM

Room 18

Marketing

Want to sell more books? Learn how to get more readers? Sean (Story.Gold) will explain the ins and outs of book marketing for indie and traditional authors—on a budget. He’ll answer questions and meet with authors one-on-one to identify the best practices that fit their unique goals.

Room 18

11:30 AM

Room 19

Fantasy World Building: Diversity in Peoples & Cultures

The most interesting fantasy worlds, like the real world, have diverse peoples and cultures. This session will consider key elements to remember when creating the peoples and cultures of your fantasy world.

Room 19

12:30 PM

Ballroom D

Lunchtime Keynote: The Secret is Just One Word

Ballroom D

2:00 PM

Room 16

Writing for Computer Games

What tips do famous game industry writers like Chris Avellone and Alexis Kennedy have on crafting compelling stories while avoiding subtle game-specific pitfalls? Get answers from the team behind the WWII leadership role-playing computer game Burden of Command.

Room 16

2:00 PM

Room 17

Writing Romance

Romance fiction is smart, fresh, and diverse, whether you enjoy contemporary stories, historical settings, mystery, thrillers, or any number of other themes. The romance genre is the bestselling genre in the world with estimated annual total sales of $1.08 billion. Is this the genre that calls to you? To write stories that have a happily-ever-after ending? We’ll discuss what makes a love story a true romance, how to make it come alive on the page to attract readers, and how to keep them turning the pages until their final sigh.

Room 17

2:00 PM

Room 18

Using Fiction Techniques to Create Gripping Nonfiction

While fiction writers can pull characters, facts, and events from their imaginations, writers of nonfiction must stick to the truth. This session will discuss how nonfiction writers can use the techniques of characterization, plotting, conflict, theme, and character development, while remaining true to the facts.

Room 18

2:00 PM

Room 19

The Many Options of Modern Publishing

On this panel, experts from all aspects of publishing will help you chart a successful path for your work, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how to approach it with an eye to success. The panel will cover traditional publishing, self-publishing, guided self-publishing, literary presses, genre presses, and much more.

Room 19

3:00 PM

Room 16

Revolutionize Your Writing with Easy Editing Hacks

Editing is supposed to improve your writing, but how do you know if you’re doing it right? Learn the must-haves of big-picture editing, how to apply the ARISE method to craft a story your reader won’t be able to put down. Get the ultimate line-editing checklist. Bring five pages of your manuscript for practice.

Room 16

3:00 PM

Room 17

Comics and Graphic Novels

Storytelling through pictures is often overlooked, yet it could be considered the oldest surviving medium (think cave paintings and Egyptian hieroglyphs). Explore how stories are told through stationary images while taking a journey through its millennia-long history and seeing the new golden age of comics and graphic novels today.

Room 17

3:00 PM

Room 18

Fundamentals of Songwriting

Think you’ve got a song in your heart? Unsure how to get it in front of the people who can record it? Or perhaps you want to record it yourself? Learn how to make your dream a reality from the musician and producer behind many recordings (von Wiegandt) and the composer who has written songs for The Oak Ridge Boys, The Red Dirt Rangers, and The Moody Dudes (Wooley).

Room 18

3:00 PM

Room 19

Pitch Slam! (Part 1)

Attendees will be invited to submit pitches in writing. Pitches will be drawn at random and presented to this distinguished panel of experienced agents. You’ll see their reactions—live. You must attend the session if want to submit a pitch.

Room 19

4:00 PM

Room 16

Writing for Emotional Impact

Have you ever heard the phrase, “All the feels?” As in, I just read this amazing book and now all I can do is sob and scream, “All the feels!!!” Join Scholastic author Kim Ventrella as she shares strategies for connecting with readers’ emotions. You will learn how to: brainstorm with emotional impact in mind, craft characters that readers can’t help but love, and make readers cry (or feel other emotions–but mostly cry).

Room 16

4:00 PM

Room 17

How to Get Your Family Story Read

Too often, the family histories we compile become an endless march of dates, places, names, and events. In this session, an experienced nonfiction author shares seven basic rules to help you shape your genealogy into an engaging, readable narrative.

Room 17

4:00 PM

Room 18

From the Editor's Desk—Getting (and Keeping) that Writing Assignment

A good editor-writer partnership is essential to successful writing. This session will cover: how to pitch a proposal and increase your chances of getting an assignment, understanding the function and vision of an editor to deliver a great manuscript, avoiding mistakes that can get you replaced, and cultivating relationships that lead to more work.

Room 18

4:00 PM

Room 19

Pitch Slam! (Part 2)

Attendees will be invited to submit pitches in writing. Pitches will be drawn at random and presented to this distinguished panel of experienced agents. You’ll see their reactions—live. You must attend the session if want to submit a pitch.

Room 19

5:00 PM

Ballroom D

Private Consultations

Meet with editors, agents and authors to pitch your idea or get great insights!

Ballroom D

6:00 PM

Room 16

Open Mic / Talent Show

Here’s your chance to show the world just how talented you are. Read your poetry, sing your song, play your instrument—or anything else you’d like to do. All talents are welcome. Take five minutes and strut your stuff. There will be many surprises…

Room 16

7:00 PM

Private Dining Room

Dinner with the Stars

Enjoy a four-course meal in a private dining room at one of Oklahoma City’s best restaurants with legendary agent Donald Maass, CEO of the Donald Maass literary agency and author of How to Write a Breakout Novel and many other books. Get your questions answers, books signed, and have a terrific dining experience.

NOTE: Seats are very limited. Seating is available at an additional cost on the checkout page.

Private Dining Room

9:00 PM

TBA

Launch Party/Audiobook Demonstration

Join us for a launch part celebrating the debut of new books from presenters and attendees. Autographs will be readily available. And as an added bonus, a demonstration and explanation of how you can produce your own audiobook and participate in the fastest-growing sector in the book world.

TBA

Sunday

September 2, 2018

9:30 AM

Room 16

Going Hybrid: The Way of the Future

The world of publishing is in a state of transition. You can write for a big, medium-sized, or small publisher, and you can also self-publish. Many writers believe you should take one path or the other, go traditional or go indie. But some of the most successful strategies for meeting readers, getting on the shelves, and getting your stories out in the world, involve going hybrid. This session will discuss strategies for being a successful hybrid author, include tips, tricks, and strategies for making the most of your work—and your time.

Room 16

9:30 AM

Room 17

Entering and Winning Contests

Learn how contests can improve your writing, how to choose which ones are worth your time, and what work to enter. What if you start winning? With more than 300 awards, Shepherd shares her “Secrets from the Contest Queen” tips, lists, and spreadsheets so you can keep track of your submissions and protect your eligibility.

Room 17

9:30 AM

Room 18

Book Signing Strategies

Tired of watching people stroll by at book signings without buying? There is no signing without a sale and that won’t happen until you show them they need your stories. Learn subtle techniques to boost sales.

Room 18

9:30 AM

Room 19

Podcasting

Audio is on the rise, and podcasting can help you gain fans for your books. Sean will show you how to get started in podcasting—on a budget—and how it can send your book sales soaring. RJ will cover best practices, free software, inexpensive equipment, and hosting—all the information you’ll need to be a podcasting success.

Room 19

10:30 AM

Room 16

Fiction to Film & Film to Fiction

Ever wonder how a book is adapted to film? Why is one book chosen over another to be made into a movie? How and why are movies sometimes adapted into books? In the world of adaptation, where two very different mediums somehow manage to co-exist, this session will walk you through the behind-the-scenes business and artistic strategy of adaptation.

Did you know that agents are scrolling social media and looking for potential authors? This session will provide an in-depth look at how Twitter is changing the way authors pitch agents and learn how to land a book contract for any type of manuscript in any genre. The presentation will cover Twitter Pitch parties, National Novel Writing Month, writer’s groups, mentors, and finding an audience for your work on Twitter.

Room 17

10:30 AM

Room 18

The Idiot's Guide to Marketing

Authors don’t just write books anymore. They are their own publicity machines and promotion wagons. Whether you’re published with a house that doesn’t provide much marketing support or you’re self-published, you need a marketing plan. This session will help you figure out how to navigate the intense world of book marketing, social media platforms and how to use them, basic advertising ideas and where to advertise, how to promote your books without shouting “Buy my book.” She will also explore price-drop strategies for series, free promotional tools, basic graphic design promotion, and establishing your brand.

Room 18

10:30 AM

Room 19

The Many Faces of Modern Poetry

Modern poetry can enchant some and baffle others. What distinguishes prose from poetry? Am I writing verse or journal entries? And how do I get it published? Learn from a panel of poets actively publishing their work on a regular basis.

Room 19

11:30 AM

Room 16

Hooking a Reader (or Publisher) on the First Page

In today’s busy world of instant gratification, the countdown is ticking on how much time you have to snag the attention of editors and/or readers. Learn some elements you should include, and some you should avoid, to make the opening of your story as irresistible as can be. Attendees are encouraged to bring their first-page openings of current works in progress to be read and evaluated.

Room 16

11:30 AM

Room 17

Writing for Comics

A story is a story, but it’s told in its own particular way in comics, now one of the fastest growing sectors of the book marketplace. Learn tips of the trade such as script formatting, cliffhanger panels, when to include text, and how to let the images tell the story.

Room 17

11:30 AM

Room 18

The Spiritual Side of Poetry

A geyser of poetry erupted into Selma Mann’s world after a series of devastating losses left her vulnerable and broken. Its healing power transformed grief and loss into whimsy, wisdom, and a profound sense of spiritual connection. You will hear Selma’s entertaining and compelling journey to becoming a published poet and sought-after inspirational speaker.

Room 18

11:30 AM

Room 19

Setting as Character

The setting of your story is an important component in writing a novel. This session will discuss how theme affects setting, and how to craft a believable one to make your writing stronger, focusing on the quality of the details rather than the quantity, and what elements will best enhance your writing.

Room 19

2:00 PM

Room 16

Researching Your Novel

This session will take you through sites, databases, interlibrary loans, and other sources to find the information you seek. There is no need to fudge when you can collect the true procedures or history necessary to make your book come to life. Convince your reader you actually know what you are talking about.

Room 16

2:00 PM

Room 17

Historical Narrative

Is historical narrative fact or fiction? When a writer engages in “nonfiction” historical or biographical writing, how much is real and how much is made up, that is, an imaginative reconstruction of events based on the writer’s historical intuition? In writing about the lives and experiences of real people, an author often has to interpret choppy and vague historical sources and rely on a lot of imaginative reconstruction. The goal is to make the story interesting, but also truthful. How is this done?

Room 17

2:00 PM

Room 18

Writing Horror

Talk about writing horror fiction with a practitioner with decades of experience. John Wooley’s horror novels have been published by Franklin Watts, Berkley, Dell Abyss, HAWK, and his work has been optioned by both Wes Craven and Paramount Pictures. He’s a longtime FANGORIA writer to boot. He’ll talk about not only writing horror, but writing horror with a collaborator.

Room 18

2:00 PM

Room 19

The Art of Description

Description is a paintbrush in the hand of a writer–with words as the palette. The right word image creates a sensory snapshot, allowing the reader to “see” in a way that propels both fiction and nonfiction forward. This session explores how to bring life and vitality to any style of writing through effective description.

In this session, Gena Maselli shares simple techniques to strengthen your writing by avoiding common pitfalls and capitalizing on your strengths. If you want to become a stronger, clearer, and more concise writer, you don’t want to miss this session.

Good writers find a way to keep their readers glued to the page, compelling them to keep reading, no matter the lateness of the hour. Your readers want to laugh out loud, scream in agony, chuckle, and miserably wail–in other words, they hope to be so involved in your book, they feel a part of it. This session will give you a number of simple techniques to accomplish just that.

Room 17

3:00 PM

Room 18

Writing with Voice, Style, and Humor

This session reveals how to cultivate voice and develop a personal style, as well as how to use humor to bring a composition to life, even if the work is serious. Hanna will also explore techniques for interjecting voice, style, and humor to ensure that your work stands out from the masses.

Room 18

3:00 PM

Room 19

How to Write Cops

Learn how to talk to and about cops authentically, avoiding the clichés and misapprehensions that undermine many novels. Enhance you work by avoiding common misconceptions about cops/guns/crimes, and considering the psychology present at a crime scene.

Room 19

4:00 PM

Room 16

Inspirational Finale

Room 16

5:00 PM

Ballroom D

Private Consultations

Meet with editors, agents and authors to pitch your idea or get great insights!

Ballroom D

NEW! Upgrade your conference by signing up for Mastercraft classes on Monday! Extend your stay by one day and join us for a small class intensive that will take your writing–and career–to the next level. Choose from any of the following…

Monday (Paid Upgrade)

Sept 3, 2018

8:00 — 12:00

Room 19

WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL 2.0 Intensive Workshop

Are you ready to take your writing to the next level? Would you like to spend a challenging, inspiring morning learning from a master of fiction? Do you want to create memorable, stirring stories that create passionate, lifelong readers? Whether you’re interested in traditional or independent success, this workshop is for you!

Why 2.0? This workshop will include new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance, and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques, and much more. Writer of fiction who wish to soar out of category, as well as novelists who want to learn how to make powerful story principles work for them, will find the Breakout Novel intensive 2.0 an idea-packed and career enriching experience.

Room 19

9:00 — 4:00

Room 16

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL FICTION: 7 Steps to Finishing a Breakout Book

Bestselling author William Bernhardt will take students through all the critical elements of fiction, bringing fresh insight to concepts such as character, plot, and viewpoint, and showing writers how to use these fundamental approaches to bring their story to life. Bernhardt will also
address less familiar concepts–story structure, psychic distance, and pacing–that are critical to success in the highly competitive publishing world. Bernhardt focuses on practical tips to make novels professional, engaging, and publishable. This comprehensive class—attended by many writers now successfully published–will blend exercises, film clips, discussion, and advice.

You will learn how to:
• Hook readers on the first page
• Make your novel impossible to resist
• Make readers care about your characters
• Sustain interest over the course of a novel
• Make dialogue distinctive
• Understand what makes a high-concept novel
• Understand the importance of structure
• Understand the difference between showing and telling—and why it matters
• Edit for success
• Write with the hallmarks of modern publishable writing style

It’s tough to stand out in today’s 16-million book slush pile. The fact is, 95% of them (15 million) fail to earn more than $100 a year. But the truth is that with Story.Gold’s easy-to-follow marketing tactics you can be in the top 5% and blow those sales away. In this eye-opening
session you’ll discover both paid and free strategies to double your sales quickly. Story.Gold’s Founder and CEO, Sean Callahan, will deliver easy-to-understand and easy-to-employ tactics for marketing your book in today’s wacky publishing world. Callahan will dispel the detrimental
myths and misconceptions that prevent authors from reaching more readers and selling more books. By the end of this class—no matter where you are in your author journey—you learn what you need to do in the next 90 days to significantly boost your author career.

You will learn how to:
• Discover both free and paid marketing solutions within your budget
• Build a simple and effective author brand
• Craft a book that sells
• Choose the best places to sell your book
• Find more Raving Readers
• Use today’s tools to build a profitable marketing platform and email list
• Engage your fans without diving down the social media hole
• Use Facebook, Amazon, and BookBub to promote your books
• Take your sales to the next level with killer ads without breaking the bank
• Design a straightforward roadmap to achieve your long-term sales goals

Room 17

9:00 — 12:00

Room 18

SELF-PUBLISHING: STEP-BY-STEP: Bring Your Manuscript and Self-Publish During the Session

Intimidated by self-publishing a book? R.J. Johnson, author of eight self-published books will take you through the entire process. From navigating the various publishing houses, to formatting and marketing your book, R.J. will take you on a deep dive into the process of self-publishing. Bring a completed manuscript and you can have your book ready for sale by the end of the session!

Room 18

1:00 — 4:00

Room 17

HOW TO EASILY BUILD YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING: Get THOUSANDS of Highly-Targeted Followers--Automatically

Publishers want you to have followers–and if you self-publish, you NEED highly-targeted followers who want your material. In this session, Chris will show you how to rock the social media game with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and your blog–AUTOMAGICALLY.

Includes the sessions:
*How to Create a Social Media Marketing Machine in 5 minutes/day–Creating content with virtual assistants and scheduling on autopilot.
*How to Gain 3000 Highly-Targeted Twitter Followers Each Month–Step by step and almost fully automated.
*How to Build a Thriving, Engaged Community–Taught by Shel Harrington whose Facebook community is 360k+ followers!
Don’t get discouraged by social media. Learn how to make it work for you!

SCREENWRITING FOR NOVELISTS: Fiction Tools to Transition from Novels to Screenplays

This three hour class with screenwriter and novelist Rene Gutteridge is designed especially for fiction writers who are interested in dipping their toe into the world of screenwriting. The two forms of writing have similarities, but its the vast differences between them that prove to be challenging for novelists. In this class, you’ll learn about the Tool Box–what tools you may use in fiction that you won’t be able to use in screenplays. You’ll also be introduced to the technical side of screenwriting, why it’s important to learn it, and how it translates onto the big screen. We’ll address the issue of whether a novelist should attempt to adapt his or her own work for film. And you’ll learn the four building blocks of every screenplay, which will in turn get you on the road to writing your own script!

Award-winning author Nikki Hanna will give students tools and strategies to write nonfiction everyone will want to read. The fundamentals of are embellished with fresh perspectives and approaches to show writers how to create a book that stands out from the masses. Strategies are revealed that introduce emotional and enticing qualities, with an in-depth presentation of techniques that enhance writing, nurture a writer’s uniqueness, and captivate readers.

“In memoir, you’ve got to make readers feel. You must make them laugh and make them cry. And, in all nonfiction, you must give them important and novel lessons learned.”

You will learn how to:
• Organize and format a memoir, a how-to book, or an informative book
• Discover a premise and a theme and how to use them as threads to tie chapters and stories together
• Create enticing titles for a book, for chapters, and for sub titles and how to use the Table of Contents to sell a book
• Paint a picture of settings, events, actions, conflicts, defining moments, and characters
• Do an effective life review so the essence of a person is captured
• Determine what to put in, what to leave out, and how to write about bad things
• Draw information out of a reluctant interviewee and how to engage a key character who resists being written about
• Understand what is “the truth,” what to do when someone else’s truth is different from the writer’s, and how to diplomatically counter objections
• Convey emotions effectively so readers respond to them
• Use revision and editing to deliver a polished, professional product

Room 19

CANCELLATION POLICY: Refunds will be granted if notice of cancellation is given prior to July 15, 2018. After that date, refunds will not be granted, though paid registrations may be applied to future programs. Note: Hotel room cancellation requests must be directed to the hotel.

Location & Lodging

This year’s conference will be held in the beautiful Renaissance Hotel in downtown OKC.

Discover the charm of Oklahoma City when you stay at the Renaissance Hotel by Marriott! This Four Diamond hotel is located just steps from the Bricktown Entertainment District, with plenty of dining and sightseeing options. A hotel shuttle can take you anywhere in the Bricktown area.

Special conference rate of $129/night is available when calling 405-228-8000 or using promo code RED when booking online. If calling, tell them you’re attending the Red Sneaker/Write Well Sell Well Writer’s Conference when booking. Reserved space is limited, so book your room today!

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